[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 129 (Friday, August 4, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1644]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND 
               RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1996

                                 ______


                               speech of

                         HON. NANCY L. JOHNSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, August 2, 1995

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2127) making 
     appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human 
     Services, and Education, and related agencies, for the fiscal 
     year ending September 39, 1996, and for other purposes:

  Mrs. JOHNSON of Connecticut. Mr. Chairman, we are all interested in 
lowering our national debt and eliminating the Nation's deficit. 
Appropriations Committee members and staff have worked hard on this 
legislation and I thank them for their effort. Achieving the goal of 
balancing the budget will mean we must make tough choices in the weeks, 
months, and years ahead.
  There are provisions in this bill that I do not like. In education, 
it is shortsighted to cut 55 percent of the funding from the Safe and 
Drug-Free Schools and Communities Program, Title I, and bilingual 
education. I oppose eliminating the LIHEAP Program, and strongly oppose 
the reduction in job training at this time of dramatic and rapid 
changes in policies. There are cuts in the Older Americans Act that I 
believe are equally unwise and harmful, and finally provisions that 
belong in authorizing legislation, where issues can be considered in 
hearings and Members can have ample time to review information and have 
consistent discussions before voting on changes in policy.
  At this time, my anguish over the terrible consequences of $200 
billion deficits on average for the next 10 years overrides my concern 
that certain programs have been cut too drastically in this bill. To 
balance our revenues and obligations by 2002 or shortly thereafter, 
cuts in every sector of Federal spending will have to be made, but 
pace, balance, and fairness are necessary.
  As you all well know, the Federal budget process is terribly 
cumbersome and this legislation has a long way to go in the legislative 
process. As it moves through the Senate and Conference Committee, I am 
confident that many of the bill's shortcomings will be addressed and I 
look forward to supporting the conference report next month. In regard 
to compensation for essential cuts, our children will inherit a 
diminished national debt and a fiscally strong nation, capable of 
funding strong essential services and creating good paying jobs.